The Mashpee Wampanoag Fantasy

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Mashpee Wampanoags Acquire More Casino Land in Massachusetts

The Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe has secured an option to a 58-acre parcel of land in southeastern Massachusetts where it plans to build a $500 million destination resort casino [Slot Barn].

The tribe announced the land deal in a press release on Friday, March 23. The 58-acre property is adjacent to a 77-acre parcel, which the tribe also has an option to purchase, bringing the total property in Taunton under option to around 135 acres. Ninety-three acres of the total parcel are upland build-able acres, the release said. The 58-acre parcel is owned by affiliates of the Woburn, Massachusetts-based Maggiore Companies. The Mashpee Wampanoag tribe entered into a formal option agreement earlier this month to purchase the 77 acres in Taunton for $5.3 million, paying $200,000 for a one-year option on the parcel, The Herald News reported March 17. Mashpee Wampanoag Tribal Chairman Cedric Cromwell could not be reached to confirm the price.

Cromwell said in the press release that the newest land acquisition is another tangible step toward building a first class destination resort in Taunton. “Working together with city officials, residents, and local business owners, we are putting together the resources to make this project a success for our Tribe and the people of Taunton,” Cromwell said. “We look forward to continuing to keep the public informed as plans on this exciting project progress.”

Cromwell and Taunton Mayor Thomas Hoye, Jr. announced plans for the resort casino [Slot Barn] at the end of February. Hoye has endorsed the tribe’s plans to develop a first class destination resort with a casino, a hotel, fine and casual dining, entertainment space and other amenities. Hoye sees the proposal as an economic opportunity for the city and region, and estimates the casino will generate millions in revenue that can help improve city schools, hire police officers and firefighters, improve infrastructure and attract new businesses. [Indicating the Mayor's failure to conduct his due diligence and short-changing the city.] “I’ve been impressed from the beginning with the Tribe’s commitment to an inclusive process and a real partnership with Taunton,” Hoye said. “Together, we’ll be meeting with residents across the city about this project and about a long-term vision for our community.”

In an effort to be transparent and create an open dialogue with Taunton residents, Hoye has set up a special section on the city’s website where he has posted almost two dozen public documents for the residents to review. The first document is the gaming bill called “An Act Establishing expanded Gaming in the Commonwealth” signed by Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick last November to allow up to three resort-style casinos and one slots parlor to be licensed in the state. The tribe is working against a rigorous deadline to comply with all of the requirements demanded by the state’s gaming bill. It must meet a July 31, 2012, deadline for compact negotiations. If there is no compact by then and the state gaming commission determined that the tribe won’t have land into trust, the commission can seek bids from other casino developers in the southeastern part of the state.

A March 12 letter from Cromwell to Hoye and the city council requests a special referendum to be held for Taunton residents to approve the tribe’s proposed casino. The referendum is mandated by the gaming bill. Two days later, Hoye responded that the city council had voted unanimously to schedule the referendum on Saturday, June 9. A March 12 agreement between the tribe and the city says, “…in negotiating the intergovernmental agreement and in holding a special election, Taunton will incur substantial costs and that the Tribe desires to reimburse Taunton for such costs in accordance with the terms hereof.” The most recent posting on is a copy of a check from the tribe to the City of Taunton for $340,000 to $40,000 to cover the cost of the referendum, and $300,000 “for the purpose of reimbursing Taunton for the cost of determining the impact of the project and negotiating and intergovernmental agreement, including without limitation the costs of outside consultants, outside legal council and other such similar costs.”

The agreement also stipulates that the tribe has adopted a tribal ordinance that “discloses the right of the Tribe to assert sovereign immunity as a defense in an action brought against the Tribe.” It promises to pass a tribal council resolution of “limited waiver of Sovereign immunity in favor of Taunton to disputes arising under this Agreement,” and agrees that state laws will govern the agreement and the tribe will submit disputes to the jurisdiction of state courts.



Read more: http://indiancountrytodaymedianetwork.com/2012/03/27/mashpee-wampanoags-acquire-more-casino-land-in-massachusetts-104990 http://indiancountrytodaymedianetwork.com/2012/03/27/mashpee-wampanoags-acquire-more-casino-land-in-massachusetts-104990#ixzz1qVGa7D98


Mashpee tribe acquires another 58 acres in Taunton
By Gerry Tuoti
GateHouse News Service
Posted Mar 25, 2012

Taunton — The Mashpee Wampanoag tribe’s footprint in East Taunton got significantly larger Friday, when it confirmed that it has secured an agreement to buy 58 more acres of land.

With the new land acquisition, the tribe has an option on 135 acres in total in Taunton, 93 of which are buildable.

“Working together with city officials, residents, and local business owners, we are putting together the resources to make this project a success for our Tribe and the people of Taunton,” Mashpee Tribal Chairman Cedric Cromwell said in a statement. “We look forward to continuing to keep the public informed as plans on this exciting project progress.”

The land, which is in Liberty and Union Industrial Park, is currently owned by affiliates of the Maggiore Companies, the tribe said. There are three buildings on the parcel, although not all are occupied. A source with knowledge of the land deal said Work Out World is a tenant in one of the buildings.

“The tribe has promised that for any parcel with businesses on it, they will make sure they will be relocated in Taunton so we will not lose that tax base or services,” Mayor Thomas Hoye Jr. said.

The Mashpee did not disclose the financial terms of the purchase agreement. Representatives of the Maggiore Companies could not be reached for comment before press time.

The Mashpee previously confirmed that they also have an agreement to buy an adjacent 77-acre parcel from the Taunton Development Corp. for $5.3 million and have made a $200,000 down payment on the property.

The tribe made a formal request last week to begin negotiating a gambling compact with Gov. Deval Patrick. The expanded gambling law passed last year gives a federally recognized American Indian tribe the first shot at the one casino license the state has set aside for southeastern Massachusetts. If the state and tribe fail to reach an agreement by July 31, then bidding for the southeast casino license will be opened to commercial entities.

The Aquinnah Wampanoag tribe is also seeking the casino license for southeastern Massachusetts and is contemplating sites in Fall River, Freetown and Lakeville as potential sites.

The Mashpee have submitted a federal application for the Department of the Interior to take the 77-acre parcel of land in East Taunton into trust, a legal step required to open a tribal casino. The tribe currently has no reservation land. The land-into-trust application will soon be amended to include the 58 additional acres the Mashpee have an option to purchase, said Brooke Scannell, a spokeswoman for the tribe.

The Mashpee Wampanoag tribe’s footprint in East Taunton got significantly larger Friday, when it confirmed that it has secured an agreement to buy 58 more acres of land.

With the new land acquisition, the tribe has an option on 135 acres in total in Taunton, 93 of which are buildable.

“Working together with city officials, residents, and local business owners, we are putting together the resources to make this project a success for our Tribe and the people of Taunton,” Mashpee Tribal Chairman Cedric Cromwell said in a statement. “We look forward to continuing to keep the public informed as plans on this exciting project progress.”

The land, which is in Liberty and Union Industrial Park, is currently owned by affiliates of the Maggiore Companies, the tribe said. There are three buildings on the parcel, although not all are occupied. A source with knowledge of the land deal said Work Out World is a tenant in one of the buildings.

“The tribe has promised that for any parcel with businesses on it, they will make sure they will be relocated in Taunton so we will not lose that tax base or services,” Mayor Thomas Hoye Jr. said.

The Mashpee did not disclose the financial terms of the purchase agreement. Representatives of the Maggiore Companies could not be reached for comment before press time.

The Mashpee previously confirmed that they also have an agreement to buy an adjacent 77-acre parcel from the Taunton Development Corp. for $5.3 million and have made a $200,000 down payment on the property.

The tribe made a formal request last week to begin negotiating a gambling compact with Gov. Deval Patrick. The expanded gambling law passed last year gives a federally recognized American Indian tribe the first shot at the one casino license the state has set aside for southeastern Massachusetts. If the state and tribe fail to reach an agreement by July 31, then bidding for the southeast casino license will be opened to commercial entities.

The Aquinnah Wampanoag tribe is also seeking the casino license for southeastern Massachusetts and is contemplating sites in Fall River, Freetown and Lakeville as potential sites.

The Mashpee have submitted a federal application for the Department of the Interior to take the 77-acre parcel of land in East Taunton into trust, a legal step required to open a tribal casino. The tribe currently has no reservation land. The land-into-trust application will soon be amended to include the 58 additional acres the Mashpee have an option to purchase, said Brooke Scannell, a spokeswoman for the tribe.

The vision the Mashpee have for an East Taunton casino includes hotels, restaurants, a water park and other amenities.

Hoye said the new land acquisition agreement “lends more credence” to the project.

There are still several steps the Mashpee need to clear in order to open a casino, including a citywide referendum on June 9. If a majority of Taunton’s voters oppose the casino proposal, the project will not progress.

In advance of the June 9 vote, the city has hired consultants to study the potential effects a casino could have on city services, infrastructure, traffic and schools. Hoye expects the study to be completed by May 15. The city is also in the process of hiring a legal consultant to assist with negotiations.

The city and tribe also say they will work out a host community agreement, mitigation and a pilot payment in lieu of taxes. Hoye also expects to be able to present that arrangement to the voters before the June 9 vote.

The tribe on Friday delivered a $340,000 check to the city to cover the cost of the consultants and the special election.

“So far, the Mashpee Wampanoag tribe has been true to their word, and this is going to allow the city to do due diligence,” the mayor said.

http://www.wickedlocal.com/raynham/topstories/x1262979190/Mashpee-tribe-acquires-another-58-acres-in-Taunton#axzz1qV7xKnUg

No consideration of this issue would be complete without this --
Tribe says application for Middleboro casino land incomplete, rejected
GateHouse News Service
By Alice Elwell
GateHouse News Service
Read more: http://www.tauntongazette.com/news/x1644233421/Tribe-says-application-for-Middleboro-casino-land-incomplete-rejected#ixzz1qVYUqhsE